Headaches and Chiropractic Care
If you have recently found yourself suffering from headaches, you know what an inconvenience they can be. Headaches can make normal, everyday activities seem difficult, and in general can make you feel worn down. If you have a headache, what is your response? Do you find a quiet place and lay down for a while? Or maybe you take some sort of pain medication. Maybe these work, maybe they don’t. If you find that your headaches don’t respond well to your “normal” methods, you may want to consider chiropractic care. To get the best care for your headaches, it’s important that you and your Macomb County chiropractor know what type of headache you get. Here are the most common headaches and the best way to treat each.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common types of headaches that people experience, with almost 80% of the population experiencing at least one tension headache in their lifetime. Tension headaches are the result of many factors, including anxiety, stress, lack of sleep, poor posture and hunger. If you find yourself suffering from frequent tension headaches, these factors or “triggers” are starting points for resolving your issue.
If your tension headaches are the result of poor posture or muscle tension in your neck, regular chiropractic care may help reduce or eliminate your tension headaches. Spinal manipulation and readjustment combined with the release of muscle tension can very often resolve a patient’s headaches. If your headaches are related to poor posture, your chiropractor can also offer assistance in correcting your posture and keeping your neck and spine in correct alignment.
If you have ongoing tension headaches, even after chiropractic care, you may find benefit in working with a nutritionist to improve your diet. Getting a good night’s sleep can also help.
Migraine Headaches
Migraine headaches are a unique type of headache and are not experienced by as many people, but are easily confused with tension headaches. Migraines are characterized by intense, throbbing pain usually on one side of the head, and increased sensitivity to light, sound and smells. Many migraine sufferers also experience “auras” which are visual cues that can include flashing lights, halos around objects, and vision changes or loss. Migraine sufferers will tell you that these headaches aren’t just an inconvenience, they can be debilitating and impact daily life.
Migraine sufferers can benefit from regular chiropractic care. While the exact cause of migraines is not well known, many individuals experience relieve from migraines or reduced symptoms from a spinal adjustment, especially in the neck and upper back. Many individuals also report that massage combined with chiropractic care is useful for relieving the symptoms of a migraine.
Other helpful treatments for migraines include dietary changes, a regular exercise routine, and over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are by far the least common type of headache that can be treated with chiropractic care. Very few individuals suffer from cluster headaches, and they are often misdiagnosed as migraines. The symptoms of cluster headaches mimic migraines, but are also accompanied by watering eyes and nasal congestion. It is believed that the cause of cluster headaches is irritation or pain stemming from the trigeminal nerve in the face.
Because nerve pain is the underlying cause of cluster headaches, chiropractic care is a perfect solution for reducing or eliminating cluster headaches. Misalignment in the cervical spine can cause pain at the connection point of the trigeminal nerve. A chiropractic adjustment in this area can release the nerve and eliminate cluster headaches.
If you find yourself suffering from regular headaches, it may be time to visit Total Health Systems in Macomb County. Our chiropractors, massage therapists and nutritionists can work with you to find the perfect solution for your headache issues. For an appointment call one of our Macomb County offices today.
Locations:
Chiropractic care at Clinton Twp: 586-228-0270
Chiropractic care at Chesterfield: 586-949-0123
Chiropractic care at Washington: 586-781-0800
Chiropractic care at St Clair Shores: 586-772-8560
